Hysterectomy keep cervix?

[FannyBurney]

I had a failed attempt at novasure ablation on Thursday. As I predicted, it was decided I actually need an open hysterectomy, not laparoscopic or vaginal: gigantic fibroids making life shite. I have been put on list to have hysterectomy in late September.

I am 44 and probably a decade from menopause given my family history, so I'm hoping to keep my ovaries, but I've heard you can also have a discussion about keeping the cervix. Anyone know anything about the pros and cons of cervix removal/retention?

I haven't googled yet. I'd be grateful for hysterectomy advice generally too.

I'm a bit overweight and want to heal well, so I'm going to do couch to 5k starting now, as long as the fibroids don't object to a bit of jogging. I can swim to improve fitness and I think I'll get one of those Pilates balls to exercise with to improve my flabby core before the op. Weight watchers too.

What else?

There is a lot online about this. Have a little look.

Removal

You may find sexual function (orgasms) less with no cervix.
Cervix provides some lubrication.

Stays
Smears up to 65

Thanks that's useful. I'll get googling

I had a sub-total hysto in February and kept my cervix. I kept it because I read that the uterus and cervix have many nerves running through them going down to the clitoris. I was scared about losing orgasm intensity as I’d read that it can lose its oomph after a hysterectomy. You’ll be delighted to know all works as before. That’s not to say it wouldn’t if you had four cervix removed. Also for me, psycholocally, it made it feel slightly less of a big deal. HRT estrogen only patches. 6 months on and absolutely no regrets. Or periods. Which is nice.

As a husband I have two different experiences. I am medically skilled. The first hysterectomy was a vaginal one with a prolapse repair in 2010. So, no cervix and no ovaries. My wife was very hopefull to get rid of all her bleeding problems, but how disappointed she was afterwards! Especially the sexual problems afterwards gave her the feeling she was really betrayed. No libido, no orgasms any longer, it was a problem. Looking back, several different factors caused this. The lack of sensation was probably caused by the damage to important nerves that indeed are close to the cervix. That's irreversible. Although she already went trough menopause, it was as if she had a second menopause. She took some oral estrogen, but it didn't work at all for her libido. Being totally desperate she started to take some testosterone gel, which gave her a significant relief.
After the loss of my first wife several years ago, my new partner also needed a hysterectomy for fibroids. We had a hard time to find a surgeon who was prepared to do a supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy without removal of the ovaries. Recovery was short and perfect. After some hormonal adjustments (estrogel) everything is fine.
Please, do your research profoundly. Go for a second opinion if necessary. Ask a lot of questions especially concerning sexual aspects. It is major surgery. Be aware!

Kept my cervix/ovaries and my orgasms still lost intensity
The sutrgienrecoeded keepigthecervix as it adds support but I didn't ask him what that meant.

I had an abdominal hysterectomy for fibroids nearly 6 years ago, cervix and one ovary removed - no problems with recovery and everything is normal, sex included

Oh just seen all these replies! Thank you all. In the meantime I'm booked in for hysterectomy with removal of cervix but retention of ovaries. I talked to the surgeon about it and he said it is easier to leave cervix but that if it were a member of his family he would advise taking it out to prevent cancer etc. I asked about sexual function and he said the evidence was not conclusive and most of it indicated that it made no difference.

After hearing your responses and the research I've already done i think I may look again at keeping cervix. I can't have laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy- it's got to come out via the sunroof.

I am on the waiting list. I mentioned i just wanted to have uterus removed and keep ovaries & cervix and was told if any tissue remained attached to the cervix I would still get bleeding and if i kept ovaries I could still experience abdominal pain there is another hysterectomy thread I’m on and someone else asked the question to their gynae who basically said if he was advising his wife he would tell her to remove the lot as why would you leave something in place that has the potential to cause problems later on?
There is an online group called hystersisters and there is a lot of discussion re cervix & sex/orgasm. It seems some lose sensation but many more have no adverse affects.
I suspect it depends if the skill of the person doing the op. It’s a difficult decision.